The invention relates generally to the field of photographic cameras, and in particular to a camera with selectable exposure formats.

In a typical 35mm camera, the backframe opening adjacent the film plane is dimensioned to make an exposure with a length-to-width, i.e. aspect, ratio of 1.5:1. Specifically, the size of the exposure is about 36.4 mm in length and 24.4 mm in width.

There are times, however, when it is desirable to make an exposure that has a "stretched" or panoramatic-type format, such as when taking a picture of a parade or a tall building. Cameras for this purpose, such as disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,249,812, issued February 10, 1981, and No. 3,678,834, issued July 25, 1972, suggest the use of masks at the back frame opening to change the length-to-width ratio of an exposure from 1.5:1 to 2:1 or 3:1. Masks, however, mechanically complicate cameras and are relatively costly to add.

A photographic camera comprising a back frame opening for making an exposure with a normal length-to-width ratio on a unit area of light-sensitive film, is characterized in that:
   light source means is positioned relative to the back frame opening for over-exposing at least one edge portion of a unit area of light-sensitive film to change the length-to-width ratio for an exposure made at the back frame opening to one that is different than had the unit area been exposed only at the back frame opening.

Preferably, the light source means is positioned relative to the back frame opening to over-expose only one or more longer edge portions of a unit area of light-sensitive film to change the length-to-width ratio for an exposure made at the back frame opening to one that is greater than had the unit area been exposed only at the back frame opening. As a result, an exposure can be obtained which has a "stretched" or panoramic type appearance.

• FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a photographic camera according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of a filmstrip exposed in the camera; and
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a control circuit in the camera.

The invention is disclosed as being embodied in a compact 35mm camera. Because such photographic cameras have become well known, this description is directed in particular to camera elements forming part of or cooperating directly with the preferred embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that camera elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a compact camera 1 having a camera body 3 including a film cartridge receiving chamber 5, a film take-up chamber 7, and a back frame or exposure opening 9. A door 11 pivotally connected to the camera body 3 includes a film pressure plate 13 on its inside.

The back frame opening 9 is sized to make an exposure 15 on a unit area 17 of light-sensitive 35 mm film 21 that has a length-to-width ratio L:W which is approximately 1.5:1. Specifically, the length L of the exposure 15 is 36.5 mm and the width W of the exposure is 24.4 mm. See FIG. 2.

According to the invention, a pair of identical light emitting diodes (LED's) 23 are positioned adjacent a shorter side 25 of the back frame opening 9 to over-expose or fog respective parallel longer edge portions 27 and 29 of the exposure 15 (or the film unit area 17) when it is desired to make an exposure that has a "stretched" or panoramic-type format. See FIG. 2. Preferably, the remaining useful portion 15' of the exposure 15 has a length-to-width ratio L:W' which is almost 3:1. In particular, the length L of the remaining useful portion 15' is 36.4 mm and the width W' of the useful portion is 13.3 mm.

The two LED's 23 when activated are intended to provide an intensity of light, during the time the film 21 is advanced approximately the distance L from the back frame opening 9 toward the take-up chamber 7, which over-exposes or fogs the parallel longer edge potions 27 and 29 of the exposure 15 sufficiently to make the longer edge portions blackened after development. This blackening produced by exposure followed by processing as is well known can be quantitatively measured as "density".

Manual control means in the form of a push button switch 31 connected to the LED's 23, a battery 33 and a known film motion detector 35 is shown in FIG. 3 for selectively activating or not activating the LED's to change or not change the length-to-width ratio L:W of the exposure 15. In place of the manual control means, other means can be provided for always activating the LED's when the film 21 is advanced.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be effected within the ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of two LED's 23 to over-expose or fog the parallel longer edge portions 27 and 29 of the exposure 15 as the exposure is moved from the back frame opening, a single LED may be employed to over-expose only one of the longer edge portions. Also, instead of locating the LED's 23 adjacent the shorter side 23 of the back frame opening 9, the LED's can be located adjacent the opposite side of the back frame opening to over-expose or fog the unit area 17 of the film 21 before the unit area is exposed. Also, other light sources such as an incandescent lamp can be used in place of the LED's.